AWA November 2011

30 Years Ago

After church on Sunday I noticed a camper from our SUPAkidz camp and his mum at the help desk. I wandered over to say hi and she was very surprised to see me and know that I worshipped at the same church. We got talking about camps and then she asked me how long I had been doing camps. I, without hesitation, answered, “Thirty years.” I was able to answer so quickly because on Friday I had received the email below which had me thinking of my early days as a leader on Scripture Union children's camps.

email letter

The Present

Well the Andrew Ramsbottom he had been looking for was me. I just sat at my desk for a few minutes reading the email over and over, trying desperately to remember his face, but I couldn't. I also tried to remember the Bible I sent him, but I couldn't. I can't wait to see it. I then read out the email to the other staff in the office as it is the stories like this that we often never get to hear that are so encouraging in the work we do. Then it was back to the present. On the reverse are two stories from camps in October holidays.

In this issue...

30 Years ago

The Present

Lives Transformed

Camp Photos

Prayer Diary

Ticket

BMX

Tests

Technology

SU NZ links

PDF version

Lives Transformed

   Team Up Camp Invercargill
    “Belinda and her family haven’t been seen at church for a considerable time. The church had lost contact with them. The Sunday after camp Belinda turns up to church on her own.” Nigel, Camp Team Leader.
    Team Up Camp Auckland
    “On the last day Samantha stayed behind to talk about a girl in her class. She was wondering if she should forgive her and be nice to her. This was pretty awesome as she had mentioned a few times during the week about this girl and how hard it was to be around her. So it was a real surprise and joy seeing how God had worked in Samantha's heart about it. It definitely seemed to be a struggle for her but she decided in the end that Jesus would probably forgive her and try to be her Friend and so maybe she would as well. Cool stuff! Definitely a cool ending to camp.” Charissa, Samantha's Group Leader.
    Well trained, committed enthusiastic leaders having fun and sharing with campers in small groups hasn't changed since Scripture Union was started in the 1800's. Josiah Spiers believed in friendship evangelism I am so encouraged by these stories but there is still a lot to do. Please continue to pray for the camping ministry especially that churches will see the value of it.

Camp Photos


Auckland Team up camp having just learned a memory verse

	Here I am 30 years ago peeling potatoes at camp.

Small groups are still the best place for building relationships.

	Leaders do crazy things – like getting covered in stickers – to build relationships.

For more photos from the Auckland Team Up camp check out this page on the Scripture Union website.

The prayer items below are attached to this email in a printable form.

Give Thanks and Praise

For lives that have been transformed through all that happened at the Team Up SUPAkidz Camps.

Please Pray For

Planning for 2012 which include:
- Three WAY2GO training events
- Six SUPAkidz camps
- and possibly two Angel Tree - SUPAkidz camps.

Every Friday 9:10-9:40 am
Bible in Schools year 1 class at Glendowie Primary. Please pray for the team as we prepare our classes for their parts in the Christmas Assembly.

Thursday 17 November – Christmas Bible in Schools Assembly at Mellons Bay Primary

Wednesday 23 November – three Christmas Bible in Schools Assemblies.
1. Rutherford Primary School
2. Edemonton Primary
3. Glendene Primary

Thursday 24 November
Christmas Bible in Schools Assembly at Glenfield Primary.
Thursday 17 November – Christmas Bible in Schools Assembly at Mellons Bay Primary

Sunday 10 December – Preaching at Pohutukawa (Beachlands-Maraetai) Presbyterian Church

January 2012 SUPAkidz Camps

Going Bananas Wellington Camp Information

Please pray for the recruiting of teams, advertising going to churches and parents, programmes being finalised and registering of campers for camp.

Ticket

I met someone who was going to the Rugby World Cup final. So I asked them if I could have their ticket after the game as I have been collecting tickets. They delivered it personally in its box. I went to sleep that night clutching the box with the ticket inside it. I'm glad we won the cup!!!

Thomas 6

BMX

I have started doing BMX racing. I love it! I have already broken a bike's crank which Dad says is because my legs are so strong. So we had to buy a second hand bike which is much lighter and stronger than my first one. I had my first wipeout at last night's race. I got up and raced again.

Chris 9

Tests

Tests, touch and cricket is what it's all about right now. I have been writing tests in preparation for high school. Dad is also coaching my touch side again and went along to our school team touch tournament I am also playing cricket again but in a higher grade team. The bowling is quite fast!

James 12